Author: James Fishman

James Fishman has been involved in the world of online magazines for more than 15 years. He helped launch Sunstone Online and continues to improve the magazine as site editor and administrator. His writing focuses primarily business and technology. To be in touch with James, feel free to contact him at james[at]sunstoneonline.com.

It’s always important to keep our fingers on the pulse of how waste management is handled and how landfills are dealt with. The West Lake Landfill, for instance, has had a situation where the EPA is continually considering how best to clean up the site which has low-level radiologic material that was dumped there illegally in the 1970s. The West Lake Landfill is incredibly well monitored and over $200 million has already been invested to solve the problem here and at the Bridgeton Landfill.

The good news for the West Lake Landfill is that no one – none of the state, local or federal agencies – have found that the site poses a risk at all for the public’s health. This is not the case in other locations like at the Coldwater Creek site.

As recently explained by guest columnist state senator representing eastern St. Charles County Bill Eigel at the St. Louis Past-Dispatch, “It is important to note that the two sites are not the same, although some protesters and politicians have used photos, illnesses and data from the effects of Coldwater Creek and said they were from the West Lake Landfill. Again, no local, state or federal agencies have found that the landfill has had a negative effect on the health of area residents. In addition, there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution when dealing with these types of sites containing our country’s legacy waste. Remediation at Coldwater Creek is occurring because of the type, location and intensity of the materials in that area. Disturbing the soil at West Lake Landfill is actually more dangerous to our local communities than leaving it where it is.”

He explains why a permanent cap is a much smarter and safer solution and it’s certainly worth paying attention to arguments of esteemed people such as Eigel.

Depression is much more prevalent than some people might think. While professional help is certainly important in many situations, diet can also be a factor in creating feelings of sluggishness and lack of interest.

No worries. You’ll soon be able to eat the artificially flavored Trix you love once again. Recently, General Mills announced that it would be reintroducing the original version of their cereal because of customer complaints. As General Mills spokesman Mike Siemienas said, “We heard from many Trix fans that they missed the bright vibrant colors and the nostalgic taste of the classic Trix cereal.” Apparently there has been an outcry since Trix started trying to make their cereal healthier using vegetable concentrates and spice extracts instead of Red 40 and Yellow 6 foo dyes. Many people found the new ingredients dull and they wanted their bright colors back.

So cry no more. Later this fall you’ll be able to find both the brightly colored version filled with artificial ingredients and the more natural alternative. Eat up and enjoy!

This is a fascinating and important point that most parents probably don’t know. When you go down a slide with a child on your lap, you are actually putting them at risk. A study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics has found that children are more likely to injure their lower leg or shinbone if they are seating on a parent’s lap when they go down a slide.

A child sliding by himself is unlikely to break a bone if his foot catches on the edge or bottom of the equipment, but on a parent’s lap he will be sliding faster and the force is more likely to snap the bone if a foot gets caught.

The study’s lead author from the University of Iowa, Dr Charles Jennissen, said: “Many parents and caregivers go down a slide with a young child on their lap without giving it a second thought.”

The study explained that, “The majority of injuries sustained on slides by infants and young toddlers are lower extremity fractures and sliding down on a parent’s lap is the primary cause of these injuries.”

When Lego needs to cut jobs, we all need to pay attention. Does it signal a lack of creativity across the world? Does it signal a financial crisis and parents can’t afford those little extras?

Whatever the source, Lego is cutting 1400 jobs which actually accounts for 8% of its toymaker’s workforce. They also announced a drop in their profits and sales for the first six months of 2017. This is the first time in 13 years that they have had a decline in their revenue.

As Lego chairman Jorgen Vig Knudstorp said, “We have added complexity into the organization which now in turn makes it harder for us to grow further. As a result, we have now pressed the reset button.”

The new Lego CEO will start in October and they are certainly hoping to return to profit.